OWENSBORO, Ky. — Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, the Green River District Health Department reported 421 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases with 147 in Daviess County, 17 in Hancock County, 119 in Henderson County, 11 in McLean County, 64 in Ohio County, 26 in Union County and 37 in Webster County. The COVID-19 related deaths were seven residents of Daviess County and a resident of Henderson County.
Last week, Green River District saw an additional 921 reported COVID-19 cases. The past week also saw 21 COVID-19 related deaths in the seven-county region.
- There have been 13,171 reported COVID-19 cases in the district to date.
- The district-wide total of recovered cases is now 9,832 (75 percent).
- 47 reported confirmed cases are currently hospitalized.
- 654 (5 percent) have required hospitalization.
- There have been 235 COVID-19 related deaths in the district.
- The state of Kentucky is currently reporting 276,826 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 2,723 statewide deaths.
After picking up 72 total cases in a shortened week last week, Ohio County begins the first week of the new year by adding 64 new confirmed COVID-19 cases. With today’s new cases, Ohio County now has had 1,569 total confirmed COVID-19 cases with 1,182 of those patients having recovered.
Ohio County has 387 active confirmed cases, 50 more active cases than last Thursday’s report. Of the 387 active cases, five Ohio Countians have been hospitalized. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 89 Ohio Countians have been hospitalized. Ohio County has lost 30 residents due to COVID-19 complications.
Since the Dec. 31 report, Ohio County Schools has picked up 12 new confirmed COVID-19 cases. In total, OC Schools has had 89 confirmed COVID-19 cases since the start of the school year. Of those 89 cases, 76 have recovered with 43 of those recoveries being staff members and 33 recoveries being students. Of the 33 student recoveries, 30 were in-person learning students and three were remote/virtual learning students.
OC Schools currently has 13 active confirmed COVID-19 cases as students return to school after Christmas break. Of those 13 cases, 10 are staff members and four are students.
Of the 10 staff member active cases, one is from Beaver Dam Elementary, one is from Fordsville Elementary, three are from Ohio County High School, one is from Ohio County Middle School and four are district staff members.
Of the three student active cases, two are from OCHS and one is from OCMS. The three active student cases are all in-person learning students.
COVID-19 Testing & Flu Shots
The health department is offering free COVID-19 testing. We encourage anyone who has been in crowds, had close contact with people in public, or traveled recently to get tested. To schedule an appointment visit the GRDHD website, https://healthdepartment.org, and follow the COVID-19 Test prompts. You must be pre-registered to be tested. It may take longer to receive test results during the holidays.
Flu shots, including the high dose vaccine for those 65 years of age and older, can also be scheduled on our website or by calling your county health department for an appointment.
Demographics
The cases being reported from the Green River District Health Department are being investigated and confirmed locally. These cases are then reported to the Kentucky Department for Public Health.
Average Age: 45
Age Range: 1 month to 102 years old
Male: 45.3 percent
Female: 54.7 percent
COVID-19 Guidance
“We want to remind people to protect themselves and those around them. Continue to practice the three “W’s:” wear a mask, wash your hands and watch your distance,” said Clay Horton, GRDHD Public Health Director. “This is crucial when interacting with anyone outside of your household, including friends, extended family, coworkers and in public settings. Do not host or attend gatherings of any kind. Leaders of organizations like churches, team coaches and workplace supervisors are encouraged to lead by example and make wise decisions to protect those for whom you are responsible.”
The health department wants to reinforce this guidance with the community:
- Stay home, avoid crowds and social distance.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick (fever, cough, sneeze, and difficulty breathing).
- To avoid close contact, stay at least 6 feet away from others.
- Wear a cloth face cover when you have to go out in public.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- To avoid coughing into your hands, you can cough into your elbow.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
If you are sick, experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, including but not limited to a fever, cough, and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, or feel you have a medical emergency, call your healthcare provider. Adults over 60 and people who have severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease seem to be at higher risk for more serious COVID-19 illness. Those people should be extra vigilant and stay home. To help answer the community’s questions about COVID-19, the Kentucky Department for Public health has set up a website with the latest guidance and information for Kentucky residents – www.kycovid19.ky.gov. The public can also call the Kentucky COVID-19 hotline at 800-722- 5725.